An enormous saltwater crocodile named Harry has picked Julia Gillard as the winner of the federal election in a snap poll in Darwin this afternoon.

The 4.9 metre croc was given the choice of munching on one of two chicken carcasses - one tied to an image of the Prime Minister and the other attached to a picture of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

In front of a large crowd, the 720 kilogram beast, which last month correctly tipped Spain as the winner of the soccer World Cup, seemed at first disinterested in both options.

But after about five minutes, the croc opened its jaws and crunched down on the meat attached to Ms Gillard.

"He saw the future and I think he might have something going with Paul the octopus," the reptile's handler, Nigel Palmer, said, referring to the octopus that had eight correct tips during the World Cup.

Another crocodile at the enclosure, Bert, picked the winner of the Darwin Cup from a field of 12 horses earlier this month.

For decades, handlers have used the crocodiles to settle a range of issues, from who should do the chores to which lotto numbers to pick.